The US Department of State has ordered non-essential employees of the consulate in Shanghai and their families to leave their posts in the Chinese metropolis. Shanghai is currently under a strict lockdown, although the local authorities are correct planning on to simplify something.
According to the US authorities, the local laws and corona measures in Shanghai and some other parts of China are arbitrary in nature. For that reason, the government has also tightened the travel advice for China.
Americans are advised to reconsider their trip to China. Travel to Shanghai and Hong Kong is not recommended due to the corona rules in force, “including the risk of parents and children being separated from each other”. Earlier this month, Shanghai was criticized for the measure to temporarily separate children who tested positive from their parents. That rule has since been relaxed.
‘Unfounded allegations’
Last week, the US had already advised consulate personnel in Shanghai to leave on a voluntary basis. That aroused the ire of China at the time. At the time, Chinese authorities said the country was “deeply dissatisfied and strongly opposed to the unfounded allegations” made by the US about China’s corona policy.
Now the staff is therefore obliged to leave the consulate site. The US State Department says it’s now best for employees and their families.
Lockdown
Shanghai and other parts of China are currently experiencing a major outbreak of the omikron variant of the coronavirus. At the end of March, Shanghai, where some 26 million people live, was therefore completely locked, much to the dismay of the residents. They complain to the authorities about a lack of food and other provisions, because they are not allowed to leave their homes.
Yesterday, more than 22,000 Shanghai residents were again tested positive, although most have hardly any complaints. To deal with the new outbreak, the city has set up about a hundred makeshift hospitals with a total of 160,000 beds.
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